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General Discussion

Posted by Melvinder Singh
Melvinder Singh
1,765 Points

Whats the difference between Wordpress and HTML/CSS etc. etc.?

Hi everyone.

I am still new here and I am unsure of what to learn. I want to be able to develop websites, either for General Purposes, or for e-Commerce sites. Some websites reckon I learn Wordpress because it is easier, but some reckon for me to learn HTML , CSS, JavaSc, PHP, Ruby, Phyton and code the websites from scratch.

I'm sure Wordpress is easier, but which is a more powerful approach and beneficial for me in developing websites.

Thank you.

4 Answers

Samuel Durkin
Samuel Durkin
48,402 Points
Samuel Durkin
Samuel Durkin
48,402 Points

WordPress is a content management system, built upon HTML, CSS, JavaScript and PHP. To customise create your own WordPress themes from scratch you need an understanding of each of these.

There is no "better" exactly, but if you want to develop websites as you say, this would require more than simply using a pre-existing WordPress theme (which also has its uses for many).

Melvinder Singh
Melvinder Singh
1,765 Points

So, would you advice me to master CSS, HTML, JavasScript and PHP, then learn to use WordPress? I'm so lost with all this. hahaha

Kevin Korte
Kevin Korte
28,149 Points

Yes, learn HTML, CSS, JS, and PHP...it'll make the transition into Wordpress easier.

Samuel Durkin
Samuel Durkin
48,402 Points
Samuel Durkin
Samuel Durkin
48,402 Points

If you actually want to develop websites, I'd say start the fundamentals of HTML and CSS. This website has many great resources for the very basics of both.

Then maybe a track such as this one to get your head around some of the more advanced WordPress concepts:

http://teamtreehouse.com/tracks/wordpress-development

As I say, there's much to be said for simply using WordPress themes, but if you want a more powerful approach as you say, this is most definitely the way.

Melvinder Singh
Melvinder Singh
1,765 Points

Alright, I will get right to it.

Thank you very much for your help!

Samuel Durkin
Samuel Durkin
48,402 Points
Samuel Durkin
Samuel Durkin
48,402 Points

No problem, any difficulties you have we'll be here to help.

Kevin Korte
Kevin Korte
28,149 Points
Kevin Korte
Kevin Korte
28,149 Points

One point I wanted to address, Wordpress isn't easier, it just gives you a lot of common functionality out of the box, and has a huge ecosystem of developers and information to help you. But it's not an one size fit all CMS.

I started building a site on Wordpress, and after a few months decided it would be easier to develop it from scratch and I dumped Wordpress. I still like Wordpress, it just wasn't the right fit.